Wow you guys sure hate my main man Dick. Enjoy.

KPRS Splicer - Joker crippled Dick's ex-girlfriend, killed his brother, and shot him (which is why he had to leave Gotham in the first place.) Also, Dick has been fighting for around two weeks straight now with very little rest in between. So basically a mix of fear and exhaustion (and maybe a little bit of thinking he deserves it).

Chapter Nineteen - Blue Christmas

"Let me go."

"Are you sure?"

"Let. Me. Go."

Wally removed his hands from Dick, he'd been helping him around the cave since the attack. The red headed speedster, chewed on his lip as he watched closely with anxiety.

Dick took a deep breath, every bone and muscle in his body was sore and tired, but he had to push on. He was close. He opened his eyes and took a step, he bit back the urge to scream out in agony, his eyes narrowed in determination. He took another step, breathing heavily, he needed to do this. He forced out another step but his body gave out and Dick went tumbling to the ground. He groaned, a mix of pain and frustration.

Wally let out a sad sigh, walking over to him and leaning down to help him up. Wally wrapped Dick's arm around his shoulder, helping him to his shoulder. He looked at his friend, "You're pushing yourself too much." he advised, "You were banged up before all this with the Joker. You need to slow down."

"I need to get back in fighting condition - Killer Croc and Bane are still out there." Dick held a hand over the bandages on his ribs, "They'll tear this city apart."

"Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Two-Face, Riddler, Mister Freeze, and Harley Quinn are locked up in Arkham because of you," Wally smiled, "That's a pretty good track record for your first couple of days as Batman."

"I lost to Joker," he shook his head as Wally set him down on the seat in the med bay, "I'm not good enough."

Wally glared at his friend as crossed his arms, "Bullshit." he snapped, "You're trying too hard to be like Bruce. You're not Bruce. I've known you since you were twelve, Dick Grayson, and you're not Bruce Wayne but you're a helluva Batman. This isn't like you at all, Dick."

Dick refused to look him in the eye, he looked straight ahead with a grim expression, "Well, maybe you don't know me."

Wally rolled his eyes and chuckled, his temper flaring, "So what's this you're gonna push me away next?"

Dick exhaled deeply through his nose, "You'd be safer if you were far away from me."

Wally deadpanned, "Tough shit." he stated simply, "You're my best bud and you wouldn't be able to get rid of me if you tried."

Dick just laid back in the chair. He didn't have the energy to fight him on this. Not at the moment, anyway.

Wally leaned against a post, "Raven didn't deserve that, you know."

Dick closed his eyes, he hadn't been able to clear his mind since he left Jump City, "She deserves to be alive." he voiced quietly. He opened his eyes and turned his head toward Wally, "Have you learned anything?"

Wally sighed, "Not much. Cyborg's wondering why Wayne Enterprises has started funding the Titan's program." he explained. Dick didn't bother answering, his company was already funding the League - what's one more superhero organization to the media?

Dick nodded, "Anything else?"

Wally shrugged, "Beast Boy and I get along. I haven't seen Starfire much. Cyborg always has his head in the clouds." he paused for a moment, "Raven doesn't like me too much, she thinks I replaced you."

Dick frowned for a moment, "They don't suspect that you and I have any connection?"

He shook his head, "Not that I know of." he shrugged, "I feel bad lying to them."

Dick's eyes were cold and distant, "You get used to it." he held his hand out, "Help me up. I want to try again." Wally did so with a small frown

Cyborg chuckled as he sipped on a cup of coffee, watching Beast Boy's face light up with excitement as he tore into his present. Cyborg had gotten the changeling the new game system, along with some games but those presents were still under the tree. Starfire watched on in a bit of confusion, she still didn't entirely understand the concept of Earth's Christmas.

She turned her head to Cyborg, "Is it a requirement to open the presence with such ferocity?" she asked, looking back at Beast Boy.

"Presents," Cyborg corrected, "And no, it's not required. Beast Boy's just excited." he explained with a smile. He was good in these situations, where he could just be the older brother to the Titans. He didn't need to worry about making any life changing decisions or leading them into battle, he could just have a good Christmas morning with his friends.

Raven quietly walked into the common room, everyone's eyes turned to her, but quickly looked away. Like they were trying not to scare away a wild animal. Raven walked into the kitchen, she was starving. Again. She opened up the box of cold pizza - only a few slices left. She grabbed one, after a moment of hesitation she then grabbed a second.

"There's coffee in the pot if you want some." Cyborg offered calmly, trying to act as normal as possible.

Raven glanced at it for a split second, "No." she stated, walking out of the kitchen. She had intended on going back to her room, but looking at the scene. Christmas Day looked incomplete. She reluctantly went and sat on the couch separate from Cyborg and Starfire. She avoided looking at any of them, but instead looked at the Christmas tree.

Beast Boy continued opening his gifts, most of them were his. He was the youngest and the easiest to buy for. Starfire looked over at the quiet demon girl, "Hello Friend Raven," the two of them hadn't spoken since they'd all left Gotham. She offered a small smile.

Raven's eyes flicked over to her, "Hi Star." she greeted quietly.

"How are you fairing?"

Raven sighed, "Better everyday, Star." she offered, hoping that would satisfy her.

Starfire nodded sadly, "That is good." she noted, "I'm not doing so well. I miss friend Robin a great deal." she sighed, "The Mas of Chris does not feel the same without us."

"Christmas," Cyborg corrected somberly.

Raven was silent for a moment, "No." she agreed, "It doesn't." Raven regretted coming out here.

Beast Boy read the writing on one of the small boxes, "Hey Rae, this one's for you." he held the box out.

It was a spotty wrapping job, but Raven accepted it. It didn't have a tag, just her name written in black sharpie on the side. Neat handwriting. She peeled the paper away to reveal a small cardboard box. She opened the box and Robin's mask was held inside - along with a sticky note:

'Can't hide my eyes anymore'

'Yours, Dick Grayson'

Cyborg rose a brow as she closed the box back and hugged it to her chest, "Who's it from?" he asked.

"No one."

"What is it?" Beast Boy questioned.

"Everything..." she whispered.

Dick slammed face first into the grated flood of the Bat-Cave. Wally sighed as he stood just a few feet behind him - he'd made it further this time, but he needed rest if he was going to fight anytime soon. His body was going to quit on him if he just kept pushing like this.

"Great Hera!" Diana exclaimed from the top of the stairs, she flew down and knelt next to Dick, "Are you alright?" she wrapped her hand around his back and gently lifted him to his feet.

"I'm sorry Wonder Woman," Wally apologized weakly, "He wanted to try walking again."

Diana whipped her head around to look at the speedster, her eyes filled with rage, "And you let him? My boy almost died!" she snapped.

Dick gently touched her shoulder, she returned to his side. Diana was the only person he trusted, the only person he could trust. The only thing keeping her from being his mother was genetics. She was there for him when... she was there when he needed him. She was the only person Dick didn't try and push away, "It's okay, Diana." he tried, "Don't be mad at Wally."

She sighed, "I came as soon as I heard - the rest of the League is worried." she explained, "I'm worried. You're the only family I have left."

Dick gave her a half smile, "My stubborn ass isn't going anywhere, Di."

She smiled back at him, "Promise?"

"Of course." he nodded, but he wasn't sure anymore. He wasn't Robin, he wasn't a side kick, he was Batman. This was an entirely different ball game.

Diana sighed, "Alfred's made Christmas dinner." she spoke softly, "I'd like you to come upstairs and eat with us." she tried, "He gets lonely in that big house."

Dick nodded, "Ham?"

"Of course," she looked back at Wally, "You're welcome to stay too, if you'd like."

Wally shook his head, "No, thank you. I think I'm gonna stop by and see Barry and my sister, then it's back to Titan Tower." he chuckled nervously, he was obviously intimated by Wonder Woman. Dick supposed he was too, at first. Though that seemed like a lifetime ago.

Dick nodded, "Contact me if there's any emergencies."

Wally saluted, "Roger that." and with that he sped out of the Bat-Cave.

Wonder Woman helped him up the stairs, "You don't have to be like Bruce, you know." she smiled softly at him, "You could be your own man. Your own Batman." she offered.

Dick sighed, "Until I see a better alternative, this is what I have to do."

"He always knew you'd be a good Batman."

Dick widened his eyes, "Why's that?"

She smiled at him, "Your heart."

A yellow streak zoomed through the Tower and Wally stood in front of them with a grin and both hands on his hips. The rest of the team looked at him, they'd just finished opening presents. Raven looked suspiciously at him, both of her hands still on the gift. Cyborg waved, "Hey man, where ya been?" he questioned as Beast Boy continued hooking up the system to the new TV.

"Hey guys, sorry - family emergency last night." He chuckled, "Iris, my sister, is getting married next month. She was getting cold feet, needed her brother to calm her down." he explained quickly, sitting down on the couch next to Starfire, "Hey Red, haven't seen you in a while."

Starfire nodded, "I have been doing much of the meditating. Friend Raven says it helps under the stress."

Wally shrugged, "Usually I just take a nap."

"There's blood on your pant leg." Raven pointed out - there was a splotch of blood on his jeans next to his shoes.

His eyes flashed down and looked back up at her, "Yeah, um, I must've cut myself shaving last night." he shrugged.

"Shaving your leg?" Raven questioned, not buying it.

Wally shrugged, "Don't judge. Hey BB let me get next on that thing." he called out, changing the subject.

Raven narrowed her eyes, something didn't add up. He wasn't telling them everything. Trust was everything around here - Robin keeping his identity a secret was one thing, but Wally was an open book. If he was blatantly lying to the team, and more specifically to her, then this wasn't going to end well. For him.